Portion Control

I have been realizing the need for portion control, but not in the way that you may think. Even some of the thinnest and fittest people today are partaking in a gluttonous MEDIA diet. If this is you, I don’t blame you. It is hard to ignore the non-stop messaging we face every day! Even those who don’t watch television or movies cannot escape the billboards, internet ads and magazines that line the grocery checkout lines.

I had a revelation about this a few months ago as I was watching a British show called, “Supersize, Superskinny” that features information on dieting and extreme eating lifestyles.  

In this particular episode the “superskinny” girl looked completely normal to me. Sure, it was clear that she was not eating enough, but what she did eat was nutritious. And, yes, she could use some muscle definition, but she didn’t look emaciated or sickly. It wasn’t until later in the episode when they revealed that she was significantly underweight with a very low BMI that it hit me. Do I have a distorted view of what’s healthy and what isn’t? Am I deceived when it comes to body image? It took be aback because I have prided myself on being someone who, even when I desired change, was confident in my own skin and knew that a person is far more than their weight or size. Surely, I could spot someone who was unhealthy!

But yet, it had happened. My view of what a healthy person looks like had been distorted.

It’s not hard to pinpoint how this had happened. See, there’s new word on the street. The fashion industry has recently labeled size 6 as the new “plus-size.” With the average woman being size 12-14 there is a large disparity between what is reality and what is merely sold as reality. No wonder we are confused or discontented. We hear it repeatedly from models, and even actresses, that they get pressure to lose weight when their size 0 (or smaller!) frames begin to fit snugly into a larger size 2 or 4.

I know there are campaigns to try to change this mentality, and even some people within the industry that are taking a stand too. If I am honest, I don’t see it changing. At least not in that way. I just don’t know if facebook pages or viral videos can make enough noise to drown out the blaring message that we see and hear everywhere we go.

Yes, we should try, but I think this movement needs to take place in a different way. My call to action is for every woman AND every man to start a change in themselves. I believe that if you are angered by the portrayal and standards of women in media and fashion, then go stand in front of a mirror and look yourself in the eye and make a pact to change your thinking – THEN we may be able to make change.

As young adults, parents and grandparents, we must set an example that is so strong and so clear that the children of today and the children of tomorrow will have a much different view. To get a little Ghandi on you – we must BE the change!

We must show by word and by action that how a woman looks, does not determine her worth. You see, this issue is not merely about what is being labeled as plus-size or not. My hope is that one day every girl and every woman, from 8 to 108, can feel beautiful. She can know that she is ENOUGH. Just as she is. Her worth will not be determined by her waist size or breast size. Her worth will not be determined by her clothes or her hair or how white her teeth appear or even the length of her eyelashes! Her worth will not be based on her desirability or sexuality. She will be able to embrace her femininity,  her strength. She will know that she is capable to do anything she imagines, while also knowing that having others help you doesn’t mean you are weak.

My concern here is especially for young girls. What message are we sending them? I cannot doubt that they are already feeling the pressure of this adult issue. Let’s not be deceived. Just because a little girl or a teen wears clothing that looks like an adult doesn’t mean that her young heart and young mind can handle the pressures and implications of these mixed messages.

I could probably rant on this for days, so let me wrap up my thoughts and tell you what my message IS and what it IS NOT.

My message is NOT that women need to give up makeup, hair dye, fake lashes and teeth whitener. My message is NOT that fashionable clothing is wrong. My message is NOT that all media is bad and we should not buy magazines or see movies. My message is NOT that women should hide their beauty and femininity. Also, my message is NOT that it is okay to be overweight or plus-sized as a result of being overweight.

My message IS that some of us to need have a media “detox.” My message IS that we need to empower, educate and uplift our young people. My message IS that we need to limit the amount of time and emphasis that is placed on appearance. My message IS that MEN need to take a stand too. This is not a battle that women should fight alone. Do it for your wives, your girlfriends, your mothers and your children and future children. Women, let’s start encouraging one another. Stop judging. Stop being caddy. Start recognizing each other’s character, not just the cute sweater your friend is wearing. Let’s set an example for future generations that being attractive comes just as much, if not more, from being STRONG, INTELLIGENT, HEALTHY, KIND, COMPASSIONATE, PURE, HARDWORKING and DRIVEN as it does from outward beauty.

So, my challenge today is two-fold. First, check YOUR thinking. Is it skewed from too much media or outside influence? Second, share a word of encouragement with a woman in your life.
I am doing this and SO CAN YOU! Make it a Level 10 Day!